[AGS] National Human Rights Consciousness Week

“There can be no peace without development, no development without peace, and no lasting peace or sustainable development without respect for human rights and the rule of law.” – Former UN Deputy Secretary-General Jan Eliasson.

Human Rights is part of our everyday lives. Human rights allow us to learn in school, play with friends, eat healthful food, and live in homes with loving families. It ensures each one to live peacefully and harmoniously in our nation.

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights will celebrate its 75th anniversary. A year-long effort will kick off this December to feature projects and activism to fight for the rights of people.

This year also marks the 19th year since the enactment of Republic Act No. 9201. This law bids Filipinos to become aware of their rights and the government offices and services that aid in the experience of equality and equity.

After several years of loud and dirty spitfires from different political groups, individuals, and government officials, we are still left with a poor and deteriorated human rights situation. So what does it still mean for our country to raise and maintain consciousness about human rights?

It may be that a lot of us do not know or understand our rights that others take advantage of and violate them. The country’s provisions and laws for health, housing, education, and expression are present but almost always inadequate. We continue to address our problems with Covid but still lag behind our neighboring countries. Our journalists and anyone with a speck of concern face red-tagging and scrutiny from fake news peddlers and trolls. Several Filipinos still work without a contract or with one that abuses workers’ rights. Indigenous peoples are still under attack and live in homes they fear losing any day.

Hence, we need a communal act of self-giving and care for the realities that our communities and fellow citizens are facing. We must seek to find and stop the unfair and unjust acts that certain people and groups have done and continue to do to lessen the margin of those afflicted and remain victims of human rights violations in our country.

As a community, we must continue to learn, teach, and ensure dignity, freedom, and justice for all.

Cover display and write-up by Miriam Victoria Ruivivar, Micaela Joelle De Los Santos, and Nino Sean Alli.